Electricity company TXU Energi has defended itself after a number of customers had their supplier switched without their knowledge.

TXU Energi claims there is little it can do about other suppliers muscling in on its customers, whether it is done accidentally or on purpose.

TXU spokesman Nick Lakin said: "We do not want them to leave us. It is a problem for us and we are not very pleased about it at all."

Before any customer is billed, they must sign documents agreeing to that particular company supplying their electricity.

In the latest of a series of cases, customer Reg Card, 72, of Holst Avenue, Laindon, received a letter from TXU expressing its upset at him choosing to alter his electricity supplier.

Mr Card said he then received a bill from another supplier which he refused to pay. After a series of calls, Mr Card was reconnected to TXU.

Electricity and gas suppliers' regulator OFGEM said although the problem was not particularly widespread, they were keen to stamp it out.

Published Monday August 19, 2002

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